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How Does Lee Use Direct Characterization In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In the book “To KIll A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the author uses characterization and metaphor to convey a message to the readers that growing up with family, shapes how you view right from wrong. Therefore it is difficult to control your actions, to what you think is right, compared to societies. To begin with, we can see characterization when Burris Ewell leaves home on one of the first days of school. Burris is dirty and is asked to go home, he then gets defensive and says, ”I was on the verge of leavin’- I done done my time for this year” (Lee, 34) This is characterization because being dirty and leaving school on the first days of school is a normal characterization of the Ewells. This relates to the theme because, Burris Ewell begins to get defensive when he is targeted by his character, which is how dirty he is. He also thinks that it’s the right thing to leave school and support the family. Which is compared to the teachers and the rest of school who think otherwise. Therefore it is extremely difficult for him to control himself and leaves school with a few swear words. …show more content…

Dubose says toward Jem and Scout, “Mrs. Dubose’s shot had gone home and she knew it” (Lee, 135). This is a metaphor because it’s comparing Mrs. Dubose’s criticism towards Scout and Jem’s Father as a “shot” and when the passage says, “had gone home” that signifies that the criticism did what it was intended to do. This metaphor supports the theme because Mrs. Dubose is attacking the their family’s morals and what they think is right. Compared to not only Mrs. Dubose, but the majority of white citizens of Maycomb as well. Henceforth, it is incredibly frustrating for Jem to control himself from doing anything stupid (which he does

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